Glue applying means for wrapping machines



Dec. l1, 1962 F. B. ROBERTS GLUE APPLYING MEANS FOR wanppmz mcmNEs 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb) 27, 1961 INVENTOR. 5d n/ ///7 5 poer 5 BY ff/W Dec. 11, 1962 F. B. ROBERTS GLUE APPLYING MEANS Fon WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Feb. 27. 1961 3 Shets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. /C/z n//n Robe/'tls BY Dec. 11, 1962 F. B. ROBERTS 3,057,557

GLUE APPLYING MEANS FOR WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Feb. 2'?. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l 4 7 TOR/Vf X5 l United States Patent Ofee 3,067,557 Patented Dec. l1, 1962 3,657,557 GI'JUE APPLYNG MEANS FR WRAPPING MCHHNES Franklin B. Roberts, Springfield, Mass., assigner to Pachage Machinery Company, East Longmeadow, Mass., a

corporation of Massachusetts Filed Feb. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 91,767 14 Claims. (Cl. 53-21tl) The present invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines and more particularly to improved means for applying glue to a wrapper as it is being encircled about an article.

More specically, the improved glue device provided in accordance with the objects of the invention is peculiarly adapted to meet the diicult requirements of supplying glue for the underlap seam in wrapping machines of the elevator t3 pe wherein articles are transferred from one level to another.

The present glue supplying means is characterized by an endless belt, one run of which is beneath and adjacent one end of the movable elevator. The belt is advanced along this run with glue on its outwardly disposed face. With this arrangement the wrapper may be pressed against the belt and a line of glue applied thereto for the underlap seam.

ln accordance with other objects of the invention these glue supplying means for such wrapping machines are economical both in manufacture and maintenance and also are highly reliable in operation.

The above and other related objects and features of the l invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the disclosure found in the accompanying drawings and the novelty thereof pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view generally in longitudinal section showing the glue applying means of the present invention and the pertinent portions of an elevator type wrapping machine;

FlG. 2 is a section taken on line ll-II in FIG. 3 and showing an individual wrapper being severed from a web;

FlG. 3 is a view taken on line lll-lll in FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale and with portions thereof broken away;

FlG. 4 is a perspective view of glue applying means used herein;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a glue applying roll seen in FlG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the belt Scrapers partially seen in FG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a glue applying belt showing primarily the members around which it is trained.

Elevator type wrapping machines as herein referred to are well known in the art and encompass broadly all machines employing a movable platform for transferring articles from one level to another level, with the further proviso that a wrapper forming length of sheet material extend from the article and below the level of the platform or elevator. In FIG. l fragmentary portions of such a machine are shown to the extent necessary for an understanding of the present inventive concepts. For a detailed description of the operation of this particular machine reference may be had to U.S. Patent No. 2,347,560.

In FIG. l article a is advanced by a crossfeed conveyor 10 into alignment with an elevator 12, when the elevator is in its lowest indicated position at what may be referred to as a receiving station. leading end of a web W of wrapper paper is disposed At this time the p between the article and the elevator. Next the article a is advanced onto the elevator by a pusher (not shown) and the elevator raised as indicated by the full line position of the elevator. Continued movement of the elevator brings it to its upper position in alignment with a plate 14 forming the bottom of the folding channel at what may be referred to as a discharge station. According to the usual mode of operation of such machines the web W is transversely severed shortly after conveyor means (not shown) start the articles, as article a', through the folding channel. The web is severed by a knife 16 in cooperation with a shear blade 18 which is mounted on the elevator 12 beneath the outer end thereof. The article a' with the Wrapper thus encircled about its girth is next advanced through the folding channel to complete the end folds of the wrapper.

The action of the knife 16 deflects or forces the trailing portion of the severed wrapper against a run m (FlG. 2) of an endless belt 20. The outer surface of belt run m is covered with a narrow line of glue 'which is transferred as a line of glue to the article wrapper. As the article a is advanced over the front edge of plate 14 the glue area is lapped against the leading end portion of the wrapper thereby forming the seam completing encirclement of the article in the wrapper.

The endless belt 2@ is continuously advanced along a given or controlled path, including run m. The means defining this path and the means for applying glue to the belt will now be described in detail.

The elevator 12 is compositely formed and is secured to a shaft 22 which is controlled by cam means described in said Hoppe patent to oscillate between the indicated upper and lower positions. An elongated bracket 24 is secured to the under surface of elevator 12 by screws 26 passing through slots Z therein and threaded into guided nuts 34B. Pins 33 rotatably support pulleys 32 and 34 at the respective ends of bracket 24. The pulleys 32, 34 define opposite ends of the belt run m. The run m is backed up by a plate 36 which is adjustably secured to the bracket 24 by screws 38 passing through slots therein. The backup plate 36 can be adjusted relative to the free end of the elevator for the most effective position of run m relative to the pulleys 32, 34. Also these pulleys may be adjusted to properly dispose the belt run m relative to the outer end of the elevator 12 and the shear blade 18. This latter function is provided for by eccentric pins 39 (one is shown) rotatably mounted in bracket 24 and projecting into slots 41 formed in the elevator 12. After adjustment, the screws 26 are tightened to maintain the desired position. The described adjustments for belt run m are particularly advantageous in obtaining a full line of glue across the width of each wrapper as different types and widths of Wrapper material are used.

A second belt run n (FIGS. l and 7) is spaced from the run m inwardly of the outer end of the elevator 12. The run n extends from the pulley 32 to a third pulley 4@ mounted beneath the elevator 12. A belt run o eX- tends from a remote glue appl)l ing device 42 to the pulley 40 and a belt run p extends from the pulley 32 back to the glue applying device 42. The device 42 comprises a glue applying Iwheel or roll 46 over which the belt 2t) is trained and defining the beginning and end respectively of the belt runs o and p. From wheel i6 the belt 2@ is trained around pulleys 47, 49 and 51 to complete the controlled path through which the belt is to be advanced.

The glue applying device 42 is mounted at a fixed location on a frame member 44 and includes a glue pot 48 (FiGS. l and 4) in which the wheel 46 is rotated in the direction indicated. The glue pot 48 rests on a tray 56 which is supported by parallel arms S2 at each end thereof. The lower arms 52 are secured to a cross shaft 54 while the upper arms 52 are pivoted on screws 5e (only one of which is shown). The shaft d and screws Se are supported by fixed blocks 55, only one being shown. One of tne upper arms 5l extends beyond its pivot screw 56 and has a cross pin 6d spanning a forked portion at its far end. The pin ed threadably receives an adjusting screw 62 which is pivotally and rotatably retained at its lower end on the frame member 44. The screw 62 is rotated by a hand wheel 64 to vary the height of tray 5t) thereby controlling the depth of immersion of the wneel 46 in the glue contained in pot d8 and further permitting the tray 5l) to be lowered so that the pot ad may be lowered for removal from the device through an opening 6o in a frame member 63.

The glue wheel de is secured to a shaft ill which is jou-.rnaled on the plate 68 and at its opposite end on a i 72. The pulleys t7 and 5l are supported on a shaft which is also rotatably mounted on the plate The pulley 49 is mounted on a bracket 7o which is supported by an angle plate 78 secured to plate 72. The bracket '76 may be secured to angle plate '7d at an adjustable distance from the pulleys d'7 and Sl in order to maintain the belt 23 taut in its described path.

Means are provided for advancing the belt Ztl along this described path and preferably take the form of an electric motor M (FIG. l) having a relatively slow output yfor driving the shafts 7@ and 7d through the illustrated chain and sprockets. At this point it will be noted that pulley 51 (FIG. 4) is secured to shaft 74 while pulley a7 is freely rotatable thereon. rl`hus it is actually belt run p which is driven by wheel 46 and pulley 49 to advance the belt through its described path.

For efficient operation it is important that the glue on belt Ztl be carefully controlled and preferably limited to a single surface thereof. To this end a scraper 82 (FIG. 5) engages the periphery of the wheel do as it rotates upwardly from the glue pot. The scraper 82 has a small notch 83 formed therein so that the periphery of wheel 46 will be at least substantially clean and dry except for a narrow line of glue which is disposed immediately beneath belt run o. The width of the line of glue is less than the width of the belt 2G so that glue is applied only to the belt surface contacting wheel 46. The glue also serves as a lubricant for belt run o which is moving in a direction opposed to the rotation of wheel d6. A second scraper Sfi- (FIG. l) engages the wheel to insure that there will be no build up of glue thereon, Additionally scrapers Se and SS (FIG. 6) are pivotally mounted on pins 9), 92 and are urged into engagement with run p of the belt 26 by springs 94 (FlG. l) and 96 (FIG. 4) respectively. The Scrapers 85, 33 clean the surface of the belt to which glue is applied and also clean the sunfaces of the belt adjacent the glue surface in the event glue has spread thereto. In this fashion any build up of glue on the belt 29 is prevented so that the belt 2id willV train freely around the various pulleys defining its controlled path without any frequent maintenance probleins.

In this same connection it will be seen from FIG. 7 that the glue surface of the belt 2l) is disposed outwardly of the various members around which it is trained, with the exception of the wheel 46. To this end run 0 is twisted 90, run n is twisted 180, run p is twisted 90, and the runs between pulleys 47 and Sil and 49 are also twisted 90. To facilitate this cleaning problem and also t'o insure transfer of sufficient glue to the article wrapper it is preferable that the belt 2b have the illustrated rectangular cross section.

Glue removed from the belt 26 and wheel 46 is returned to the glue pot d8. falling to the left of the wheel 46. A wire mesh basket 95 is provided in the lglue pot 4S beneath the Scrapers S6, SS and disposed to receive glue removed bv scraper 84. This arrangement is provided to prevent the glue from being contaminated. Thus if there are any scraps of paper or other debris removed from the belt Ztl, they will be collected by the baslret and the glue applied to wheel to will at all times be clean. When the glue pot d5? is removed from the device it is a simple matter to remove debris from the wire `basket 95.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be apparent that as the elevator swings between its upper and lower positions, the distance between the glue applying device and the free end of the elevator varies. ln order to accommodate this variation and yet maintain the belt 2li taut at all times the means now to be described are provided. The belt runs o and p are trained around pulleys 98, lil@ which are rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 102. The shaft le?. projects from an arm we which is secured to a shaft lilo parallel with the elevator shaft 22. An arm ldd is secured to the shaft 122 and connected to ar Title by a link llo. rl`he pulleys 9S, lili? are moved by the described linkage in the direction opposite that of the end of the elevator thereby maintaining the belt 2@ taut at all times.

ln summary, the belt 2t) is constantly advanced along a controlled path and particularly along run m at the outer end of the elevator. The surface of the belt to which Aglue had been applied is disposed outwardly to be engaged by the trailing portion of a wrapper as it is severed from the web W. The glue so applied forms the underla-p seam as the article a' is advanced from the elevator l2 and through the folding channel of the wrapping machine. The wrapper may be tucked and folded against the ends of the article in a known manner forming no part of the invention.

`While the present device has been described with reference to glue which would be employed in forming a seam for a paper wrapper, the term glue is intended to include all adhesion causing material adapted to be applied to an endless belt or its equivalent.

The limitations in use and scope of the present device for providing a constantly renewed source of glue or the like at the end of a movable elevator are to be derived solely from the following claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as novel and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: Y

l. In a wrapping machine having an elevator for transferring articles from a receiving station to a discharge station at different levels, said elevator comprising an article-supporting surface and having one side facing the receiving and discharge stations when aligned respectively therewith; an endless belt, means about which said belt is trained in a controlled path, one run of said path being beneath said article-supporting surface and adjacent said one side thereof, means for advancing said belt along said given path and means for applying glue to said belt on the side thereof facing outwardly from the said one end of the elevator along said one run whereby a line of glue may be transferred to a wrapper partially encircled about an article transferred by the elevator.

2. In a wrapping machine having an elevator for transferring articles from a receiving station to a discharge station at different levels, said elevator comprising an article supporting surface and having one end facing the receiving and discharge stations when aligned respectively therewith; an endless belt, means, mounted at a relatively fixed location removed from said elevator, for applying glue to at least one surface of said belt, means for training said belt in a controlled path, and means for advancing said belt along said path, one run of said path being beneath said article supporting surface and adjacent said one side of the elevator with said one surface of the belt facing outwardly from said one end of the elevator whereby a line of glue may be transferred to a wrapper paritally encircled about an article transferred by the elevator.

3. In a wrapping machine having an elevator for transferring articles from a receiving station to a discharge station at different levels, a shaft on which said elevator is mounted and means for swinging said elevator about the axis of said shaft between said stations, said elevator cornprising a generally flat article supporting surface with the free end of said elevator facing said receiving and discharge stations when aligned respectively therewith; an endless belt, means mounted in a fixed location remote from the elevator for applying glue to at least one surface of said belt, means for training said belt in a controlled path, said controlled path comprising a rst run extending from the glue applying means to the elevator, a second run extending beneath said elevator supporting surface and adjacent the free end of said elevator with said one belt surface facing outwardly thereof, and a third run extending from said elevator back to said glue applying means, and means for advancing said belt along said given path whereby a line of glue may be transferred to a wrapper partially encircled about an article transferred by the elevator.

4. A wrapping machine as in claim 3 wherein roll means are disposed adjacent said elevator shaft and the first and third runs of said belt are trained therearound, and further wherein means are provided for maintaining the belt taut as the elevator swings.

5. A wrapping machine as in claim 4 wherein the first and third runs are generally parallel and lie in a plane parallel to the axis of the elevator shaft, the roll means comprise a pair of pulleys about which said rst and third runs are trained, and the means for maintaining the belt taut comprise an arm mounted on a shaft spaced above said elevator shaft, an arm secured to said elevator shaft, projecting in the same direction as said rst arm and generally parallel thereto, and a link, interconnecting said arms for downward movement of said pulleys as the elevator swings upwardly.

6. A wrapping machine as in claim 5 wherein the glue applying means comprises a glue applying roll over which the belt is trained and defining the beginning and end of the first and third runs respectively, the axis of the glue applying roll 4being parallel to the axis of said elevator shaft and spaced above said pulleys and toward the side thereof remote from the free end of the elevator.

7. In a wrapping machine of the type wherein an article is partially encircled in the leading end of a web of wrapping material, said machine including an elevator for elevating articles from a receiving station to a discharge station, a shaft on which said elevator is mounted, means for swinging said elevator about the axis of said shaft between said stations, said elevator comprising a generally dat article supporting surface with the free end of said elevator facing said receiving and discharge stations when aligned respectively therewith, and knife means for severing the web after an article has been raised at least a substantial distance towards said discharge station thereby forming a wrapper for the articles; an endless belt, means mounted in a fixed location remote from the elevator for applying glue to at least one surface of said belt, means for training said belt in a controlled path, said controlled path including a run extending beneath said elevator supporting surface and adjacent the free end thereof with said one belt surface facing outwardly thereof, a shear blade extending beneath said elevator and said one belt run, said blade `being parallel to said belt run with its outer end lying generally in the same vertical plane as said belt, and a backup plate engaging said belt and maintaining the said one surface thereof in a substantially flat plane along said one run whereby a line of glue will be transferred to the wrapper as it is severed from said web by said knife means.

8. A wrapping machine as in claim 7 wherein pulleys are provided at each end of said belt run, bracket means are secured to said elevator and means are provided for mounting said pulleys and said backup plate on said bracket, said pulleys and said backup plate being adjustable toward and away from the free end of the elevator.

9. In a wrapping machine having an elevator for transferring articles from a receiving station to a discharge station at different levels, said elevator comprising an article supporting surface and having one end facing the receiving and discharge stations when aligned respectively therewith; an endless belt having a square cross section, means mounted at a relatively fixed location removed from said elevator for applying glue to said belt, means for training said belt in a controlled path extending between said glue applying means and said elevator, said glue applying means comprising a rotatable roll over which a run of said belt is trained prior to passing to the elevator, means for applying a narrow lband of glue to said roll immediately beneath the belt as it is trained thereover and prior to its passing to said elevator thereby coating one surface of the belt with glue, one run of the path of said belt being beneath said article supporting surface and adjacent said one side of the elevator with said one surface of the belt facing outwardly from said one end of the elevator whereby a line of glue may be transferred to a wrapper partially encircled about an article transferred by the elevator.

l0. A wrapping machine as in claim 9 wherein Scrapers engage the said one surface of the belt and the surfaces adjacent thereto after the belt is returned from the elevator and prior to its being trained over the glue applying roll and over said line of glue.

1l. A wrapping machine as in claim 9 wherein the means for applying a narrow band of glue to the glue roll comprise a pot filled with glue in which the glue roll is immersed, and a scraper engaging the periphery of said wheel on the portion rotating outwardly from the glue pot, said scraper having a notch immediately beneath the run of said belt trained thereover whereby the periphery of the roll will be substantially free of glue aside from the narrow band passing through said notch.

12. A wrapping machine as in claim 1l wherein a return run of said belt extends from and passes over said glue roll, a pulley is spaced from said roll and around which the return run is trained and the belt advancing means comprise means for rotating the glue roll and the pulley spaced therebeyond in the direction of movement of said return run.

13. A wrapping machine as in claim 12 wherein the one surface of the belt faces outwardly of all the means around which it is trained except for the glue roll which is engaged by said one surface.

14. A wrapping machine as in claim 12 wherein a shaft is provided to which the outwardly spaced pulley is secured, a second pulley is rotatably mounted on said shaft and the belt extends from the second pulley to said glue roll and the beginning of the belt run leading to the elevator.

No references cited. 

